Rep. Elijah Cummings’ 20-Year-Old Nephew Laid To Rest

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—Christopher Cummings was shot to death at college. Police still haven’t caught his killers, as his family lays him to rest.

Weijia Jiang has more on Saturday’s funeral service and the search for justice.

Congressman Elijah Cummings says his young nephew had so much to give, and he won’t stop until he finds the person who took that away.

Christopher Cummings, 20, was laid to rest following an emotional funeral service on Saturday.

His uncle, Representative Elijah Cummings, delivered the eulogy to the dozens who filled the Victory Prayer Chapel on Reisterstown Road.

Cummings was a junior at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. But last weekend the promising honor student was shot to death in the house he shared with other students just 50 feet away from campus.

“He was truly a leader at the school, and they have to carry on,” Rep. Cummings said.

Many friends from Old Dominion traveled to Baltimore for the service.

The congressman highlighted Christopher’s many accomplishments. The criminal justice major had a 3.5 GPA with plans to attend law school– cut short when someone broke into the house, shot Cummings and his roomate, who survived.

Family members say it may have been the same person who tried to break in six weeks ago.

“Before the guy got completely out of the door, he pulled a gun on my son, but Christopher was able to force him all the way out,” said James Cummings, Christopher’s father.

Representative Cummings has seen plenty of violent crime in his own inner city Baltimore district. During the service he also spoke about the urgent need to fight back.

“I think this incident is going to heighten folks efforts to do that,” Rep. Cummings said.

And in a message to his nephew’s killer, Cummings made his personal efforts clear.

“I promise you,” he said. “I promise we will find you. You will be found. You didn’t give Christopher justice. You slaughtered him, but we want to make sure you get justice and make sure you never do this to another human being again.”